Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Poll for date of Halifax crawl. with ROBCamra
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Warwick Castle, W9
W9
W9 2PX
Pub Type
Metropolitan Pub Co (Greene King)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Warwick Castle
A revisit to this 1* CAMRA Heritage pub and regular GBG entry. Ram-packed though no obvious changes from previous, maybe bar a lick of paint. Had to get some annoying codger locals to stop using the only spare table as their personal cloakroom. Three (I think) cask available with a fairly unimaginative selection, my TT Landlord was fine though I’ve had it much better (NBSS 3). It’s a classic 7.
October 2014
Long-overdue revisit found three on, a not particularly imaginative line-up of GK IPA, Doom Bar and, thankfully, Truman’s Swift (in very good nick) at prices far more realistic than the rip-off merchants up the road at the Alfred. Interior remains as described below – CAMRA heritage-listed and well-worth a quick Bakerloo detour to sample. Rated 7
June 2009
Popped in for a beer on the way to Wembley Arena to catch the might that is Girls Aloud live. This is a lovely backstreet boozer a short walk away from the tube but just far enough away not to attract the dregs (not that appear to be too many in this area, mind you). The interior is set over two rooms via a lobby which sport lots of Victorian period features, stained glass panels, leaded windows and wood-heavy. There’s an open fire for the colder weather plus a selection of old-skool board games such as draughts and chess. A decent selection of three ales on my visit – my two (Doombar and Adnams) were kept well and I enjoyed them. One downside is the unisex loo – not great in this day and age, could imagine the ladies not being happy to do their business in there on a busier night. Overall, I’d recommend it and would say it’s worth the 5 minute diversion on the Bakerloo if you’re at Paddington with a bit of time to kill. Especially recommended if you’re off to Wembley and fancy a proper beer in decent surroundings beforehand. Rated 7
On 22nd January 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Warwick Castle
A neat little and largely unspoilt Greene King pub, Tris has done the discriptive bit thoroughly in his review from 2019, beers on were the house beer from Greene King, Made Of Ale (see what they did there), also an obligitory G K IPA and the saving grace in T.T. Landlord. It's a fine pub despite the subdued beer lineup and certainly worth a visit.
On 5th September 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Warwick Castle
Looked this one up again when back in Little Venice and it was good to find it in rude health post Covid shut downs. Three of the four hand pumps were in operation for our mid week afternoon visit. Alongside the usually available GK brew was a very decent TT Landlord.
Great pub interior as well described by the previous reviewer we found the stash of board games and passed a very enjoyable couple of hours playing Trivial Pursuits whilst quaffing the Landlord
On 4th April 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Warwick Castle
A Grade II-listed hostelry on CAMRA's London Regional Inventory of Pub Interiors, this is indeed a small and pretty former Charrington’s pub, dating from the mid-19th century and rebuilt in 1867 in this attractive open mews, just a stone’s throw from Little Venice’s Grand Union Canal, presided over by a very friendly Northern Irish landlady.
On approach, one cannot but notice the oversized hanging lantern looming over the frontage. There is some limited table seating to the pavement which appears to be part of the pub’s curtilage; there are two entrances, both with small lobbies, to what must once have been the public and private bars.
The central entrance gives way to a left-hand wainscoted room without bar but with a gas effect coal fire and simple dark wood furniture and a TV which sees little action. To the wall is a large sepia photograph in tiles of nearby Warwick Avenue as it was in yesteryear.
The right-hand entrance however, leads into a small vestibule with polychromatic tiling to the floor and a good display of leaded stained glass. The floor is modern bare boarded and wearing well. Three-quarter height, partly bare and partly pale grey painted tongue and groove panelling lines the walls up to the picture rail. The remaining wall height is textured and there’s also a patterned ceiling, possibly Anaglypta, which jars somewhat with the ugly white - and completely unnecessary - office ceiling fan. The hanging lights do though have attractive glass shades. This barroom also benefits from a real log fire and décor which comprises a rustic long case clock to the wall, a Bass mirror and some prints illuminated with brass picture lights. Further embelishment includes two recent wall mounted autographed photos of Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard due to Allied being filmed inside and out, the pub doubling as the Rose & Cown. Entertainment includes the occasional bout of TV sport, irregular live keyboard music and a Wednesday quiz. There are also board games for the bored; background music plays but it’s at an acceptable level, except when the Spanish [Inquisition] guitar music comes on.
The small, staple-shaped bar is an attractive all-wood affair: a jettied upper tier supported by faux corbels with carved scrollwork, Tudor rose bosses and deep field panelling. At the base, there’s a three-piece brass footrail. The bar top features several circular brass blanking plates, but these are here to cover the holes vacated by the former – probably original – beer engines. The bar back too is worth a look as it’s fairly ornate with some etched mirrorwork. What also appears to be etched are the picture windows with their very dinky stained, leaded side infill. Unfortunately, the patina is derived from stick-on transfers, probably to make them shatterproof.
Furniture is very conventional and solid though there are stools to the bar so that people can block it and one window bench is clad in extremely tatty green vinyl. The lavatories are very small indeed though there’s nothing much the pub can do about that. It could though spend a little money to make them just a bit more inviting.
The crowd in here is drawn from across the spectrum, making for a very good mix.
There’s food of the ‘posh’ burgers, fish ‘n’ chips and the like school of pub grub, along with a ‘famous sausage board’.
Very friendly service pulls the following ales: Greene King IPA, Sharp’s Cornish Coaster, Truman’s Swift and Sambrook’s Wandle at a very reasonable £4.10 a pint and perfectly serviceable.
All in, this is a very attractive pub where I could easily spend an evening when it’s not too full, and there aren’t dogs underfoot, but a little money spent, and a more adventurous choice of ales would raise the mark a notch. That said, this is certainly a must-visit if in W9 and makes for a great threesome combined with the Prince Alfred and Warrington.
On 17th April 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Warwick Castle
Going through an exterior make over at the moment.... all scaffolded up.
Still open and interior as I remember it. All wood paneling, big Bass mirrors and an ornate fireplace.
Getting to the bar a challenge. Which is a good thing to say, as means its popular.
Trumans Swift was pretty average condition on latest visit.
Blogged visit at http://bit.ly/2oErY9B
On 28th April 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Warwick Castle
Tucked away down a pleasant little mews style side street, handy for both Warwick Avenue tube station and Little Venice, this is a smart, two room, Grade II listed pub. On approach you can't fail to miss the marvellous Victorian lamp with its huge elaborate bracket, and as you enter, you pass through an attractive lobby with a nice mosaic floor. You emerge into the right hand side of the pub with the servery along the left hand wall. There is a lot of nice dark wood in this room, notably on the bar counter and back, as well as the tongue and groove panels on the opposite wall. The front windows have some fine etched glass and a few nice stained panes, with a limited amount of seating underneath allowing you a closer look. Standard tables and chairs run down the right hand wall, passing a nice period fireplace and old pendulum clock as they go. A frieze runs around the top of the wall,s which have been decorated with a mix of old and more contemporary paintings plus the odd brewery mirror, whilst the ceiling is very decorative itself. A rear space, partly hidden behind a section of partitioning wall, has a couple more tables and modern wallpaper. To the left of the bar, there is a small lounge with limited seating around four or five tables in a compact, smart wood panelled room with a lovely, detailed fireplace. Music played unobtrusively throughout my stay and there was a good buzz from the locals who were in on my Sunday afternoon visit, despite many of them migrating out to the pavement at the front of the pub.
There were four ales available on this visit - Sambrooks Wandle, Sharps Doom Bar, Greene King IPA and Truman's Swift (£3.70). I gave the latter a try and thought it was a perfectly passable pint served up by a friendly barman who was very patient dealing with a dithering group of tourists.
I found this place very relaxing and spent longer than I'd intended supping my pint and reading my paper. It has a fine interior that perhaps gets overlooked when compared to some of Maida Vale's more ornate pubs, and offers good beer and a friendly welcome to boot. I'd certainly be happy to make a return visit.
On 9th October 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Warwick Castle
Another Grade II listed London CAMRA listed Heritage Pub in Maida Vale, which may not have the internal opulence of some of its near neighbours but still retains some nice period features, stained glass panels and an interesting bar counter, and the large external lantern remains from the days when pubs needed an external light for people to home in on down the dimly lit back streets.
Sharps Doom Bar and Cornish coaster, plus Greene King IPA & Sambrooks Wandle were on for our visit and a well-kept pint of Wandle was enjoyed on one of the seats to the front of the pub.
Although, like all other establishments in Maida Vale is does offer an above your usual pub grub food menu, the Warwick still retains a more pub than restaurant vibe.
On 20th May 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Warwick Castle
Tucked away down a narrow mews alley and behind the sumptuous villas that line Little Venice,this Victorian pub has some interesting features.The old front door is no longer used,the side entrance has stained glass and a substantial door.The interior retains distinct sections but no internal doors,while the furniture is varied and interesting.Wooden floors throughout and a traditional pub feel.Opposite the bar is an impressive fireplace and a Bass mirror,while to the left of the building is a small room away from the bustle.Outside the wooden tables would be a good suntrap in fine weather,with very little traffic passing.
The pub is part of the Capital Pub chain and serves rather pricey food,for instance sandwiches at £5,but the quality is fine and most meals served on wooden platters gives a gastro vibe.The muzak is not needed once the pub has filled up,and the R&B track was quite annoying on my trip.
There are four handpumps serving Doom Bar,Sambrook's Wandle,GK St Edmunds and Twickenham Vanguard (£3.60,beyond it's best).A selection hardly at the cutting edge of the real ale scene,but there does seem to be a rotation policy so you may get lucky.
The nearest pub to the moorings for canal boats,and little changed over the years I enjoyed my short visit for lunch.With a little more care in ale selection and condition ,this pub could easily have scored an even higher rating.
On 28th February 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Warwick Castle
Traditional side-street pub, with plenty of vegetation on the facade, a large lantern over what was once the main doorway and a few benches beside the pavement. Inside, there are several side rooms around the main area (with one having a noteworthy fireplace). Three handpumps offering Doom Bar, Wandle and ?? Spring Ale (£3.50).
On 26th March 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Warwick Castle
The pub has an attractive exterior with impressive floral displays in baskets and pots and the large pendant lamp hanging from the wall. The front step has what must be original tiling, and there are stained glass windows to the lobby with similar inserts to the front windows, which have some etched glass. The main room has the bar, bare boarded floors, and some wood panelling. A Bass mirror is displayed. The semi separated area beyond has less tradition, and a couple of those modern style sofas.
There is a side room, after passing through another entrance lobby. A marble fire place remains in here, a quieter area, which also has a few board games, including chess. The front windows fold back here, and gave a fair chill through the pub on what was an unseasonally cool early evening. There is further outdoor seating in the form of a few benches to the front.
I didn't eat but the basic food menu my drinking companions sampled looked ok. Three ales on, Doom Bar, Sambrook's Wandle and Bombardier. There is an extensive wine list. The plasma high on the bar wall has Sky News on muted.
Not bad, but seems to sit between the traditional and semi-trendy camps, probably having to address the preferences of the newer residents of this gentrified area.
On 13th May 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]